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ObamaCare enrollment down compared to last year's sign-up period

Enrollment in ObamaCare plans is down from this time last year, according to data released Wednesday by the Trump administration.

In the first three weeks of this year's sign-up period, 1.9 million people have registered for ObamaCare plans, compared to the 2.3 million by this point last year — a decrease of about 400,000 people.

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In week three of this year's sign-up period, which spanned from Nov. 11-17, 748,000 people signed up for ObamaCare plans, compared to the 799,000 people who signed up during a similar period last year.

Part of the decrease is likely attributable to the first week of open enrollment being one day shorter than last year's.

However, the Trump administration this year also cut back on funding for local groups that help people sign up for plans.

The administration awarded $10 million in funds to the groups this year, compared to $36 million last year. That's well below the $63 million budgeted annually under former President Obama.

The Trump administration argues that since the 2010 law is not new, the need for outside groups to help people sign up has diminished.

It's also the second consecutive year that the administration will spend less on advertising to promote open enrollment.

The decline in enrollment could also be attributed to lower unemployment compared to this point last year.